Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dozer Operator)

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Pacific Southwest Region, Region 5. This position serves as an assistant to the Fire Dozer Operator of a Forest Service Fire Dozer Module.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Brian Grabowski at brian.grabowski@usda.gov.

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement: GW-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-5).

Specialized experience is defined as examples of the following: Made initial evaluation of fire situation and determined suppression methods to use, suppression access, vehicle placement, deployment of dozer, and point of initial attack.

Laid out fuel reduction contract areas and conducted the initial surveys to establish area boundaries and prepared maps delineating treatment areas.

Assisted the operator of fire dozer module in responding to wildland fires.

Assisted in directing the dozer to fire location and positioning in appropriate location in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment.

OR One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience.

The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Selective Placement Factors Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 90 Days of Entry on Duty.

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.

For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.

There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities.

Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

• May provide on-the-job training to others in methods and techniques of firefighting including use of hand tools, use of dozers, and safety.
• Completes reports for time and attendance, fire time, crew time, and accident/injury reports, fire replacement equipment requisitions.
• Prepares job hazard analysis for the fire dozer operator for review and concurrence. Prepares and leads tailgate safety meetings.
• Gathers data and may lead others in gathering data from natural and/or activity generated fuels and assists in the preparation of plans and direction for fuels management, fuels treatment, and other plans such as burn plans for other resources.
• Makes initial evaluation of fire situation and determines suppression method to use, suppression access, vehicle placement, deployment of dozer, point of initial attack.